In our house, we have a fun Christmas Eve tradition where we watch (or rather, I ‘gently encourage’ everyone to watch) A White Christmas. I just love that movie! The scene when the main characters sing Sisters makes us laugh every time as the women sing their version, and the men, in pure comedic fashion, sing theirs. We find ourselves singing that song throughout the year, and it always makes me feel grateful for my own sisters, as well as the relationships between my girls at home. 

Our eldest daughter moved into her new place for her second year of university back in September, leaving behind an empty room and a hole in our hearts. She left behind a collection of little notes that her youngest sister could open every day and read until she saw her again. They are full of encouragement, inspiration, love, and purpose, and they have meant so much to her little sister. After reading just before bed, I have seen the impact through her sweet smiles and misty eyes. 

This sweet and thoughtful act inspired me to do more love-filled actions too. It does not have to be complicated, but it does take time and thought. Written notes are a beautiful way to express love and gratitude!  My daughter’s notes remind me so much of my mom, who did that for my siblings and me when I was growing up (and still does!) She wrote notes to bless us, which became one of the strongest inspirations for my first book, A Mother-Daughter Devotional and Shared Journal Experience for Psalm 119. 

A wonderful and unexpected result of working through the devotional with my own daughters was a special connection that formed between them. Before I even held a published copy in my hands, I printed out a copy of the book and put it in a binder, which allowed space for all three of my daughters to write back and forth with me and a little bit with one another. They each used the journal space provided and added their own thoughts. Sometimes they were brief, and other times they had little more to share. While we worked through the book, I left it open on the kitchen island so they could see what we wrote to one another and sometimes I would see them wait to write something, while other times they just read what I wrote to them and the other sister. It was a wonderful way to remind them (and for them to remind each other) of the special qualities that make them so treasured!

I have always been drawn to the idea of writing my thoughts and feelings toward my loved ones in text messages, notes, cards and emails. What I would like to do this Christmas provides an opportunity to share my thoughts with my girls again. I plan on using an advent calendar with chocolates for the countdown to Christmas like I do every year, but I will add surprise notes this time. They might be a bible verse, a note of encouragement, a quote or even just a single word for that day.  

What kinds of Christmas traditions do you treasure in your home? Maybe this Christmas, you can begin a new way to add new and rich layers to your relationship with your daughters through the mother-daughter devotional! 

Just in case you are new, here are a few words about the devotional: 

 A Mother-Daughter Devotional and Shared Journal Experience for Psalm 119 encourages and enables the building of a deeper spiritual bond between a mother and her daughter(s) through reading a short Psalm 119 devotion segment together, followed by conversation and finally one or more written journal entries by each person to the other. Each Psalm 119 devotional, has a short reflection which invites mothers and daughters to read this longest prayer of the Bible entry, and then leads them into discussion about all the highs and lows of their life related to the reading, helping each to engage with each other and God. After reading each short devotional and discussion, mother and daughter(s) are then directed to an interactive journal section in the second half of the book where each can write a memorable entry about each other based on the Psalm verses just read, passing these entries back and forth with words of encouragement building on each additional journal entry. Mother and daughter(s) are then encouraged to think through their words to one-another reflecting on them thoughtfully and creatively. These exchanges create a unique way in which they each can capture the thoughts and feelings from deep in their own hearts for one another and binding them even closer together. Sandee’s hope and prayer is that this journal exercise will provide mothers and daughters with a treasure of memorable words to reflect on for many years to come 

As we launch our kids into the world, often, there are younger ones at home to continue encouraging daily. Have you experienced the launch of a child? How has this impacted your home? You are not alone on this journey; we are in this together!

You can find a copy of the mother-daughter devotional and my latest, A Mother-Son Devotional: Walking in Wisdom Through Proverbs, at Castle Quay Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indigo or my website. 

Worship music for today! Brandon Lake – Gratitude